Unwanted sexual experiences, depressive symptoms and disordered eating among college students

Unwanted sexual experiences occurring only in young adulthood have rarely been explored. A sample of 122 college women completed a questionnaire survey assessing previous unwanted sexual experiences, sexual satisfaction, depressive symptoms and disordered eating. Seventeen percent reported unwanted sexual experiences. Results indicated that unwanted sexual experiences were associated with disordered eating and depressive symptoms, but that sexual satisfaction was not. Furthermore, the relationship between unwanted sexual experiences and disordered eating was mediated by depressive symptoms. These findings emphasize the high rates of unwanted sexual experiences in student populations, and suggest that victims of these experiences should be screened for depression.

Research highlights▶ We examine the association between unwanted sexual experiences, disordered eating, and depression among French students. ▶ Unwanted sexual experiences are associated with disordered eating. ▶ Depressive symptoms mediate this relationship.